Thunderbird Park

Thunderbird Park is in the downtown area of the seaside City of Victoria, one of thirteen communities in the Capital Regional District of British Columbia. Take a stroll among the Pacific Northwest monuments created from red cedar trees. The totem poles, cedar and Garry oak trees in Thunderbird Park provide glimpse to the Northwest art displays seen in the museum and the local history for the Vancouver Island, British Columbia. Located on the corner of Belleville Street and Douglas Street in downtown Victoria, B.C., Thunderbird Park contains several Haida, Kwakwak’wakw and Gitxsan totem poles, duplicates of the originals within the museum, which are heraldic, honoring and memorial poles. These totem poles dominate the landscape beside the Mungo Martin long house that has carving on the beams, Haida designs, and on the frontal pole, also Haida styles. The house posts are designed by the Nuu-chah-nulth. The park was created in nineteen fourteen with a stylized Northwest Coast house, about half the normal size, and the totem poles of West Coast. It has developed into an evolving re-creation of Northwest Coast totem poles including resident carvers and a carving studio. Elliot Square with the Helmcken home and a school building is immediately to the south of Thunderbird Park. The Empress Hotel Gardens, Parliament Building Gardens, Harbour Walkway, Cridge Park, St Ann’s Academy Gardens and Beacon Hill Park are nearby.

Geographic coordinates N48° 25′ 12” W123° 21′ 59″

Thunderbird Park can be reached from the Trans Canada Highway. Continue along the highway as it becomes Douglas Street. Stay on Douglas Street to the junction with Belleville Street. The park is on the corner of Belleville Street and Douglas Street. There is limited roadside parking and small parking area accessible from Superior Street, one block south along Douglas Street in downtown Victoria, B.C.

The Royal British Columbia Museum has further information on the buildings and totem poles in Thunderbird Park.

Published by Healthy Naturalist

An avid walker, hiker and naturalist, I share these urban parks and outdoor spaces with you to encourage you to explore the neighborhoods in the Capital Regional District of British Columbia by foot. Immersing yourself in our natural world, on the southern end of Vancouver Island, is important to living a balanced life. Each place takes less than an hour to explore. Exploring your community by foot is wonderful and healthy way to experience the areas around your backyard with the added bonus of frequent rest stops for young and old. The parks, playgrounds and green spaces are described from north to south. A brief description of the nature of each community park is provided with directions.
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